Goodguys Southwest Nationals - Cruising Season

There is a classic car–style to Mike Gripp’s ’38 Dodge, which he’s owned for 30 years. The chrome grille shell and headlights were factory options in 1938. The engine is a later Dodge six-cylinder flathead.

GMC borrowed Pontiac’s 316 engine to drop into its trucks in 1956. This ink black ’56 GMC Suburban pickup is owned by John Olgin, from Gilbert, Arizona.

Hard to believe this beauty started out as a real rough piece. Jim Malone built his ’40 Ford as a shop truck and as publicity for Wild West Street Rods, in Farmington, New Mexico. The tuck ’n’ roll inside is as red as the outside.

Who doesn’t love Chevy Apaches, especially when they’re as eye-catching as Mitch Oler’s gold specimen from Phoenix? The 350 Chevy engine is loaded with Edelbrock components and tied to a five-speed.

It’s been almost four years since Jim Hathaway’s much-modified ’38 Willys was featured in this magazine. It’s still a knockout custom, with a ZZ430 for power and incredible tan leather interior.

Lawrence Bray’s ZZ4-powered Chevy, also known as POPS 63 (check the license plate), hails from Mesa.

Finished just one month before the Southwest Nationals, Emilio Warwick’s green and silver ’67 Chevy C10, runs a 327. The unusual green is a 2011 Audi color.

Spectators who peeked inside Jim Link’s well-done ’49 Ford F-1 were impressed by the flame-themed custom stitching, and by the red and black late-model bucket seats.

Finally, some flames! These traditional-looking licks run along Larry & Vicki Pryde’s ’52 Chevy. With red rims and caps, classic black paint, it’s loaded with hot rod flavor.